Regular Article
Toxicokinetics of Atrazine in Embryos of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

https://doi.org/10.1006/eesa.2001.2073Get rights and content

Abstract

Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamine-s-triazine) is a widely used selective herbicide. Due to its persistence, it is present in many surface waters, contaminating nontarget organisms such as fish. Teratogeny of atrazine was examined during the first 48 h of zebrafish development (embryo test) and correlated to effects on the microsomal and soluble glutathione S-transferases (m-/sGST; EC 2.5.1.18). Atrazine at 4 mg/L disturbed the normal development to long pec stage, at concentrations between 10 and 20 mg/L it caused retardations in organogenesis, a slowdown of movements, and functional disturbances of heart and circulatory system. m- and sGST activities were affected by atrazine in all investigated developmental stages. Atrazine elevated the mGST activity dose dependently up to a concentration of 5 mg/L, and the sGST up to 1 mg/L. Higher atrazine concentrations caused a decrease of GST activity, especially of the sGST of the younger stages, 32 cells and 75% epiboly. This might indicate that the detoxication system itself is affected, which then gives rise to morphological abnormalities during fish development. In vitro tests were performed to purify and characterize GST-formed atrazine metabolites by the use of ESI–HPLC–MS. mGST showed higher conversion rates compared to sGST.

References (50)

  • H Von Westernhagen

    Sublethal effects of pollutants on fish eggs and larvae

  • C Wiegand et al.

    Uptake, toxicity, and effects on detoxication enzymes of atrazine and trifluoroacetate in embryos of zebrafish

    Ecotoxicological. Environ. Saf.

    (2000)
  • B.M Alzemi et al.

    Gill damage in freshwater fish Gnathonemus petersii (family: Mormyridae) exposed to selected pollutants: An ultrastructural study

    Environ. Technol.

    (1996)
  • J.E Bakke et al.

    Metabolism of atrazine and 2-hydroxyatrazine by the rat

    J. Agric. Food Chem.

    (1972)
  • R.L Binder et al.

    Basal levels and induction of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity during the embryonic period of development in brook trout

    Biochem. Pharmacol.

    (1982)
  • E.G Bligh et al.

    A rapid method of total lipid extraction and purification

    Can. J. Biochem. Physiol.

    (1959)
  • Braunbeck, T, Burkhard-Holm, P, Görge, G, Nagel, R, Negele, R.-D, and, Storch, V. 1992, Regenbogenforelle und...
  • A Dankwart et al.

    Determination of atrazine in rainfall and surface water by enzyme immuno assay

    Environ. Sci. Poll. Res.

    (1994)
  • W.C Dautermann

    Role of GST in herbizide resistance

  • J DeMarco

    The United States approach to pesticides

    Water Supply

    (1992)
  • I Elezovic et al.

    Herbicides in water: Subacute toxic effects on fish

  • G Felding

    Leaching of atrazine into groundwater

    Pestic. Sci.

    (1992)
  • T Fischer-Scherl et al.

    Morphological effects of acute and chronic atrazine exposure in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

    Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.

    (1991)
  • T.S Foster et al.

    Metabolism of deethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, and hydroxyatrazine by the soluble fraction of goose liver homogenates

    J. Agric. Food Chem.

    (1980)
  • Cited by (0)

    1

    To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: +49 (30) 641 81 682. E-mail: [email protected].

    View full text